Concerns about understanding language (19 month)

Then+came+more · September 2013

Hey everyone,

I have never posted here but I'm really trying to figure out what is going on with my son. He is 19, almost 20 months. We started getting really concerned at about 16 months. The first thing that happened: I had dropped him off at church nursery (which he hates) and when I came back and was calling him it was like he didn't hear me. As soon as he saw me he was excited and came running. So our first thought was hearing. He hearing has checked out so far (last hearing test- ABR on Thursday). He does not talk, babbles a lot but no words referring to anything. It seems like he doesn't understand language...he is a smart little boy can figure things out so quick. He is very affectionate, super shy...he points some but definitely gets his point across on what he wants. He is currently in Speech Therapy and will start Occupational soon. His EI who use to be an ABA therapist said he shows some signs of autism but a lot of it was due to language delay, so she wasn't sure it was that. I just need some advise if it could be anything else or something else I should be looking at... TIA!

kcisthebombdotcom · September 2013

It's far too early to diagnose what the underlying cause is. Kids with receptive language delays go on to have diagnoses like autism, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, mixed expressive/receptive language disorder, sensory processing disorder, etc. some kids are just late bloomers and catch up with therapy. Unfortunately it's going to be many years from now until you know why. All you can do at this point is get him him speech therapy, talk to him a lot, and follow whatever suggestions your therapists give. Good luck.

lite-bright · September 2013

It sounds like you're doing everything you need to be doing for now. Some -- most -- diagnoses just can't be pinned down at 19 months, and although the not-knowing-for-sure sucks, the important thing is that you're addressing his needs as they're presenting right now, and keeping an eye on his development.

Things change so very much in the next couple of years in terms of starting to be able ot parse things out. My pedi had zero concerns about DD1 at her 24 month appointment, despite a few things I had noted in her language that were early red flags. At her three-year appointment (when we were in the process of doing evaluations), she said we were likely to end up with at least an Asperger's dx, and DD1 was dx'd with autism a few weeks later.

I don't think there's much else you can do at this age that you're not already doing, honestly!

typeset · September 2013

My kiddo was diagnosed with autism and a receptive language delay on the cusp of two. Some diagnoses can be made early by trained specialists; our neurologist specialized in diagnosing spectrum kids under three. If you're concerned, talk to your pediatrician. You might be able to get on the waitlist to see a developmental pediatrician, likely several months out and closer to two. Having a diagnosis can mean many more services through EI. In our state you can access the specialty service providers and 10-28 hours of targeted therapy a week with an autism Dx.

Junebug060609 · September 2013

You sound a lot like me when DS was that age (he is now 23m). Your son sounds similar to mine as well.

You are doing the right stuff getting his hearing checked and pursuing speech and OT therapies.

There are some potential causes the others have touched on, but we've been told dx is unlikely until age three since there are so many changes. It's hard knowing something is wrong but not knowing for sure what...but it's encouraging seeing him improve some with therapies. Hopefully you find the same.

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